Interesting News, Articles & Stuff

[Flotsam]

Supreme Court rules on Texas age verification law for adult websites

“The statute advances the State’s important interest in shielding children from sexually explicit content,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the majority opinion.

nypost.com

As a parent i would never encourage my kids to search for porn, i do think it should be up to parents what to do. Sadly these days more kids are technically proficient than their parents and can get around most controls.

Inherently these filters in places like libraries are bad because they overreach and block content that needs to be accessible. A perfect example would be someone searching for information on breast cancer and getting that blocked because of key words. Also making something prohibited makes some people more intent on getting in.

As the internet crosses state lines only the Federal govt can make laws to limit it. Project 2025 wants to eliminate ALL porn just likes it calls for the elimination of legalization of Cannabis. So much for freedom

an aside:

now I'm curious what the fuck is Goth Hospital OK?

 

[Bazinga]

I am familiar with the JH hospital, it is a fine hospital if it is the one downtown I am thinking of.

2 questions:
How do you think Eric Adams will effect race? Trump endorsed the MAGA candidate so you know he will lose in NYC

Second i don't pay much mind when it comes to these labels. The reality is most Republicans don't know the difference between Communism or Socialism or anything else. These also don't know what Fascism is either and now that it is established in this country it will be hard to get rid of. The sight of unmarked ICE agents swooping in on

Yes, it's the Johns Hopkins in the city. They saved my life twice. One time the doctors stated that I'd be dead in week or less. Ruined my weekend plans.

 

[Bazinga]

@Bazinga You are wasting your time here.

I've asked twice with no reply. I promise I won't ask again after this. The OP along with Cosimo, bellona0544, and his-highness491 have all stated or agreed that I am wasting my time here. I don't know if you are too busy to provide some clarity or are intimidated. At the end of the day it's not your call to make this statement. The time "wasted" is my time to waste.

Either way, you stated your opinion but will not defend it. I wonder why. C'mon guys or gals don't hide. I don't bite (well maybe sometimes).

 

[Bazinga]

Florduh - The name of the book is The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. This is one of the 2 you recommended. Should be made available to me in the middle of next week. Thanks again.

 

[Octavia]

I've asked twice with no reply. I promise I won't ask again after this. The OP along with Cosimo, bellona0544, and his-highness491 have all stated or agreed that I am wasting my time here. I don't know if you are too busy to provide some clarity or are intimidated. At the end of the day it's not your call to make this statement. The time "wasted" is my time to waste.

Either way, you stated your opinion but will not defend it. I wonder why. C'mon guys or gals don't hide. I don't bite (well maybe sometimes).

Pretty sure he means most folks you’re talking with aren’t likely to be swayed. He’s been in a few similar debates about whether trump is a fascist (as the only person arguing that trump isn’t) which went about the same way. The Gaza genocide has become very politically charged and it’s next to impossible to have a good faith debate about it nowadays.

Hopefully the books are informative! I’d also recommend watching The Chosen (1981). Tells the story of 2 jewish boys (1 reformed, the other orthodox) in 1940s New York during the post war formation of israel and how Zionism changed their friendship. It focuses more on the kids rather than the history, but the debate has barely changed since then and was a very humanising take on both sides.

 

[florduh]

The Gaza genocide has become very politically charged and it’s next to impossible to have a good faith debate about it nowadays.

I'm fine with a difference of opinion on Israel's politics and future. But there is no debate on the current conflict. The best thing for everyone involved, including Israelis and American Jews, is for that "war" to end immediately.

Another recommendation for anyone interested in this shit is the podcast Bad Hasbara: The World's Most Moral Podcast. It's hosted by comedian Matt Lieb and the son of a Holocaust survivor.

BadHasbara

It’s the world’s most moral podcast.

www.youtube.com

The only thing I disagree with Matt about: he's like 7 feet tall. Dude could have been the Hebrew LeBron. Instead, he's Mr. Funny Guy

 

[Octavia]

I'm fine with a difference of opinion on Israel's politics and future. But there is no debate on the current conflict. The best thing for everyone involved, including Israelis and American Jews, is for that "war" to end immediately.

Very much agree, was mostly trying to stay as neutral as I can in my post. This conflict has been heart wrenching to watch, and it’s been pretty clear from the outset that Israel’s current leadership was just waiting for an excuse.

 

[sedentree]

Good vids. On the issue with AI taking jobs its not just tech that is getting impacted. There is a video in my Youtube feed about a company that makes Automated AI enhanced robot to make French Fries for fast food places.

So my earliest recollection growing up was people saying that if someone couldn't do any other job they could always be a "Fry Cook". You have to ask then what will these people do in the future if MOST of the jobs are replaced by AI devices and technology??

What are the moral "Rules" that AI engines will have to follow? I am troubled that our government is CLUELESS about the power of this technologies and what the potential impacts are. Some of them can't even use a computer so you know they have no clue. I am troubled when Tech Magnates like Elon Musk etc want to jump in and decide to set these limits. I give you the Prime example of Elon Musk, arguably the richest man in the world that they don't need this Medicaid stuff. and of course these people are demanding their Tax Cuts.

Personally, I am not opposed to AI but we should be having conversations about the Moral limits we need to put on this AI technology (called A1 by the one who is in charge of the Dept of Education). So far zero progress about this except a lot of hand wringing over China catching up so quickly.

This line from the article about tech workers losing their job to AI sums it up nicely:
“We wanted robots to clean the dishes and do our laundry, so we could draw pictures and write stories. Instead they gave us robots to draw pictures and write stories, so we could clean dishes and do laundry.”

Also worth noting that the same article is the first in a planned series and will feature workers from other sectors and industries, should be an interesting (yet depressing) follow.